KNKT: Argo Bromo Anggrek Crossed a Green Signal Before Colliding with a Commuter Train

The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has disclosed that the Argo Bromo Anggrek train obtained a green signal as it passed before colliding with a commuter train at Bekasi Timur station. KNKT head Soerjanto Tjahjono explained that at 20:33 WIB, Train 5568 of the Commuter Line entered and halted on Track 6 at Bekasi Station. From 20:34 to 20:38, Train Sawunggalih entered and stopped on Track 3 at Bekasi Station for passengers to board and alight. ‘Next, Train 116 (Sawunggalih) departed Bekasi Station via Track 3 towards the east,’ Soerjanto told a meeting with Commission V of the DPR on Thursday (21 May). At 20:45, Train 5568 departed Bekasi Station towards Bekasi Timur Station. Then at 20:48, Train 5568 entered and stopped at Bekasi Timur Station on Track 1. On a separate line, a collision occurred between another Commuter train and a motor vehicle. ‘At 20:48:29 the collision occurred between Train 5181 Commuter Line and a four-wheeled motor vehicle at Bekasi Timur downstream track,’ he said. After passengers had boarded and alighted, Train 5568 moved a short distance of about 1.69 metres. The train halted because the driver saw a crowd on the upstream line. Behind it, at around 20:50:43, the Bromo Anggrek train proceeded straight on Track 3 of Bekasi Station with a green signal at J12. DPR Commission V Chairman Lasarus then cut into KNKT’s explanation, questioning the status of the signal. ‘We are not looking for who is at fault, Sir. So the conclusion KNKT drew when the collision occurred between the train and the car was that Argo Bromo Anggrek moved and collided with the Commuter Train, and the signal was green, yes?’ he asked. ‘The signal was green, Sir,’ Soerjanto replied. ‘Green, green, green. On Argo Bromo Anggrek the signal is green,’ Lasarus said. ‘Green at Bekasi Station, Sir. Green,’ Soerjanto replied. ‘Shouldn’t it have been red, Sir, because there is an obstacle ahead?’ asked Lasarus. ‘We will explain it next,’ Soerjanto replied.